ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the role of interferon in viral infections. Adenoviruses are responsible for only a small proportion of the total incidence of respiratory infection in children; therefore, routine immunization of infants and young children is not recommended. The problem of adenovirus immunization should be considered more closely if a safe and effective multivalent vaccine becomes available or if effective vaccines against other respiratory pathogens, including parainfluenza and respiratory syncytial viruses, are made available for simultaneous administration. In smallpox and vaccinia, dissemination by viremia does occur, but virus can also spread from cell to cell in the skin and may produce necrosis, which is not affected by circulating antibodies. The combined live virus vaccines licensed and available for use in the United States are: measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine; measles and rubella vaccine; measles and smallpox vaccine; and rubella and mumps vaccine.
